New specialized care spaces to open this fall in Redwater

REDWATER – Local and area residents will soon have access to 12 new supportive living facility spaces dedicated to caring for people with complex brain injuries.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) has partnered with Homeland Housing and Connecting Care to bring this level of specialty care to the community.

Homeland Housing constructed 12 spaces in a new and secured unit, attached to the Diamond Spring Lodge, 4619 52 Ave.

“Everyone deserves a home where they feel secure and can access the health services they need as their health situation evolves,” said Tyler Shandro, Alberta’s Minister of Health. “This specialized residence is just such a home for people with brain injuries. The government is committed to ensuring Albertans of any age have access to supportive and continuing care facilities, with support to live healthy and well.”

“These spaces are badly needed in our area and will make a significant difference,” said Dale Nally, MLA for Morinville-St. Albert and Associate Minister of Natural Gas and Electricity. “These additional supportive living spaces will go a long way to help ensure the residents of Redwater and the surrounding area have more access to specialized services. Congratulations to AHS, Homeland Housing and Connecting Care.”

Connecting Care will be providing care services and AHS will be providing case management and allied health services.

“People with brain injuries are typically younger, more physically capable and often require specialized levels of support,” says Greg Cummings, Chief Zone Officer for AHS North Zone. “These new spaces will provide the specialized care clients need in a modern, home-like environment. We are very pleased to be working with Homeland Housing and Connecting Care on this important project, and to be able to bring this level of care to AHS North Zone.”

The unit — scheduled to start accepting clients this fall — will be the first of its kind in AHS North Zone. Currently, clients in the zone needing this level of specialty care have to go to Edmonton to receive it.

“Projects such as this provide stable, supportive housing and specialized care services that meet the changing needs of those living with an acquired brain injury,” says Homeland Housing CEO Raymond Cormie. “Homeland Housing is excited to build on its relationship with Alberta Health Services and welcomes Connecting Care as our care partner.”

This level of care will provide enhanced recreational activities and behaviour management interventions not currently provided through continuing care programs in AHS North Zone. Services will include 24-hour personal and nursing care.

“We are pleased to partner with Homeland Housing and AHS on this initiative, leveraging the skills and expertise of our care partners to make a difference for those with complex brain injuries in northern Alberta,” says Linda Revell, President and CEO of Connecting Care and Points West Living.

“We appreciate the vote of confidence in the ability of our organization to provide this level of complex care.”

Offering this level of care in Redwater also brings new employment opportunities to the community, including nursing, healthcare aide and support staff positions.

“This is great news for Redwater,” says Robert Deresh, Chair of the Alberta Health Services Lakeland Health Advisory Council. “These spaces will recruit new people to the community, and Redwater will be the main centre for this type of care for the northern region. The community will certainly benefit from this.”

Homeland Housing is a not-for-profit housing management body providing affordable housing and supportive living across nine Alberta communities. Our mission is to enrich the lives of our residents and communities through quality housing and innovative services.

Connecting Care is a provider of supportive living care and services whose focus is to provide the best service and leadership to its stakeholders. The organization practises the Eden Alternative® which focuses on moving away from the institutional hierarchical model of care into a constructive culture of “home” where Elders direct their own lives. Connecting Care is also accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services.

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.